Re: Not good enough
I got a chance to play the Open Beta, and I had a blast. I can't say that I can compare the game to every MMO, but I have played Everquest (in the first couple of years), WW2 Online, Star Wars Galaxies, World of Warcraft, and City of Heroes.
I believe the look of the game is meant to be completely different from COH, and thus has embraced the artificial look on purpose. The characters do look "rubbery", and artificial. But, you can collect action figures in the game, and I suspect that this is in line with what the developers at Cryptic are going for with this MMO.
That said, I was able to make a dark hero rather easily. He didn't look rubbery after I got through with him. The character designer blows away any designer, in any game, including COH. The choices are staggering. You are able to do everything that you could do in COH, and so much more. You can even split up your design decisions to a particular side of your character's body. The character creator is deep.
You can alter your character's power colors, and where they emit from on the fly inside the game, not just once from the character generator.
You have actual stats to track, like Ego, Dex, etc., and many different character builds that give you differing bonuses. There is even an average build, that is good at everything.
You actually choose your own powers, although I didn't make it out of the starting location. Your beginning powers are attacks, to ensure that you can take care of yourself, but I was told after that you choose whatever you want. Defenses, more attacks, pets, etc. Linked powers (Shadow, Energy, etc.), have bonuses to ensure that those who have a unified build get a little bonus. One starting power builds energy, and one starting power uses energy. And, usually the starting power that builds energy acts as an anchor for all of your powers within that power type.
Example: Shadow powers cause fear, and the energy build power within Shadow acts as a sort of multiplier for all of your other Shadow powers, so that they have a greater chance to cause fear. If you chose a character with a blades attack (energy build), and shadow attack (energy use), you would still be fine, however your fear effect in the shadow attack would have less of a chance to take effect.
It's a really innovative system, and works to perfection. The way powers work in unison with each other, even when they are completely different types is awesome.
You can also attempt to block in combat, which helps out squishy builds.
I was able to make something akin to a City of Heroes blaster. However, he was much stronger in melee combat than a COH character, which is a good thing. No more one shots, or running from minions at low levels. I did have to be careful, though, as it wasn't easy to take on lieutenants and bosses once they were in melee range.
I was blown away, and honestly I am seriously considering the lifetime special offer. This is my favorite MMO, and I have never played one that has blown me away from start to finish the first time I tried it, like this one.
I can't agree with you about the animations, as I thought they were very well done. The combat system and it's various effects are much more engrossing than City of Heroes.
I don't know about the lighting, but I can't say that I ever thought...wow that that lighting looks crappy. I didn't pay attention to it, and it didn't make me notice it.
But, graphics aren't what I care about. I care about the details, and Champions Online has more details than any other MMO I've played. You should do yourself a favor, and try the game out. Everyone is different, and I wouldn't say that you should buy a new computer just to play it. But, I think it's an amazing experience, and I would buy a new computer to play it.
The first time I ran into an open area instanced mission I was blown away. You here the heroes voice asking you for help, as aliens attack you, laser blasts firing, sirens screaming. Good stuff.
As I say, this stuff could be in other MMO's that I haven't played...but I'm a superhero nut. When it's put inside of an MMO with capes, it's more to my liking.
Note: I should say that I played on someone else's computer, which certainly wasn't up to snuff to enable all of the fancy graphics (if any...I didn't ask, didn't care...was just glad to play the Open Beta). That could be why it looked "rubbery", somewhat. But, again, design choices in the character designer can easily alter this look.
